Leyland Offers Encouraging Health Update

<> at Comerica Park on June 6, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan.DETROIT, MI - JUNE 06: Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland #10 watches the action from the dugout during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on June 6, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. The Indians defeated the Tigers 9-6. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

It may seem as if the Tigers are at a crossroad, but manager Jim Leyland said the intersection is still a ways off.

“The first step is to fight through this,” Leyland said before Detroit lost again Wednesday, this time a 9-6 defeat to Cleveland that was the Indians’ fifth win in five games between the teams this season. “Then we have to get the team well and play good at some point.

“We’ve got to get our ducks in a row, but you can’t start by saying, ‘We’ll get this started when we get everybody back.’ No.”

Leyland reported good news on the injury front.

Austin Jackson is going out on a short rehab assignment beginning Thursday and could come off the disabled list this weekend, although he didn’t specify when.